BROOKLYN HEIGHTS, N.Y. - St. Francis Brooklyn freshman
Cristal Paulino is set to represent her native Puerto Rico in international competition for the second time, participating in the 2021 Junior Pan-American Games over the first weeks of December.
The middle blocker will be competing as a member of the U23 women's volleyball team, after previously competing with the U18 team. Puerto Rico will start pool play in Group B on Dec. 1, facing three games against Brazil, Dominican Republic, and Peru.
"We are so proud of Cristal for receiving this invite to represent Puerto Rico. Competing in the Junior Pan-American Games is a great opportunity for her to face some of the top international competition in women's volleyball," said St. Francis Brooklyn head coach
Amable Martinez. "This will be another step in her development as a young student-athlete, and we know she will make Puerto Rico and St. Francis proud!," he added.
Paulino rolls in to the Junior Pan-American Games after an impressive run in her first season with the Terriers. She led the team in points (242), total blocks (92), and blocks per game (0.89) through 103 sets played. She also had the second-most kills (187) of all Terriers in the 2021 season.
The Junior Pan-American Games are being contested in Cali, Colombia from Nov. 25 - Dec. 5.
